Eldred Key Elements releases CD

The title says it all: “We Made This Ourselves.” In a real-life, local version of the hit television show “Glee,” 23 Eldred Central School (ECS) students under the direction of their teacher, Justin Glodich, have completed their goal of producing their own CD.

The eighth- through 12th-grade students are members of the a cappella group the Eldred Key Elements. Last year, the group delivered a stirring performance for the ECS board of education.

Glodich described some of the positive effects of contemporary a capella, including improved aural awareness, increased student participation in choral programs, accelerated ear training and sight-singing skills. He also discussed vocal percussion, the art of creating sounds with one’s mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument.

At that time, Glodich announced the group’s intent to produce their own CD and embarked on various efforts to raise the funds to do so. The recording took place in a practice room at the Eldred Junior Senior High School and took approximately a month to complete. It features a collection of nine songs recorded entirely by the group themselves.

Some of the titles include “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele “Your Man” by Josh Turner, “Prayin’ For Daylight” by Rascal Flatts and “Fix You” by Coldplay.

While nine students have been lost due to graduation, auditions were recently held and resulted in the welcoming of seven new members. The group will be available to perform locally and the CD is now for sale to the public for $11, including shipping.

“We hope to use the money to continue recording and making new albums each year to not only give the students the opportunity to take their work home with them, but to be able to share with our community the hard work and dedication of these students (and all students here at Eldred) to the music and arts programs,” said Glodich.